Moai is a Japanese tradition that refers to social groups often formed in childhood that endure throughout one's lifetime. Moai are a group of lifelong friends who support each other socially, financially, emotionally, and spiritually. Moai meet regularly—monthly, weekly, a few times a week, and sometimes, daily to chat, reminisce, share advice, support, and help each other through whatever may be happening in their lives.
There's a concept in Japanese tea ceremony from Zen, roughly translated as “one chance in a lifetime,” or “one lifetime, one meeting.” It’s such a beautiful idea: Any meeting you have with someone is unique, fleeting, and will never happen again—even if you see this person every day.
In this series, we'll examine ways of making meaning in the face of death, offering tools founded in traditional wisdom and scientific evidence to help our readers live well right to the very end.
